Four-Time Deported Alien Sentenced To Over 11 Years In Prison For Trafficking 33 Kilograms of Cocaine And Illegal Reentry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - An armed Mexican national with multiple illegal reentry convictions was sentenced to prison yesterday for trafficking more than 33 kilograms of cocaine and illegally reentering the United States after deportation, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, Chief Estella D. Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), and Sheriff Van W. Shaw of the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today's announcement.

Raul Bello Rojas, 44, was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of a mixture of cocaine, and illegal reentry of a deported convicted felon.

"Rojas repeatedly violated our nation's immigration laws and returned to the United States to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Armed with guns, he posed a serious threat to our community. This sentence ensures he'll spend more than a decade in federal prison before being promptly deported," said U.S. Attorney Ferguson.

"Every time a dangerous criminal like Rojas returns to our streets and brings drugs and weapons into our neighborhoods, families and communities are put at risk," said Special Agent in Charge Zito. "This outcome shows that HSI and our partners are determined to stand between traffickers and the people they threaten. We're committed to making Charlotte-and every community we serve-a safer place by taking action against those who repeatedly break our laws and endanger lives."

"This investigation shows what is possible when local and federal agencies work side-by-side to keep our great city safe. Rojas's actions posed a serious threat to our community, and through strong partnerships we were able to hold him accountable," said Chief Patterson. "CMPD will continue to work closely with our federal partners to protect our residents and ensure that those who conduct criminal acts in Charlotte are held responsible."

"This investigation shows the importance of law enforcement agencies working together in our areas to arrest and convict violent repeat offenders. Through these partnerships, we ensure that our limited resources are utilized to the fullest extent," said Sheriff Shaw.

According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, Rojas was involved in high-level cocaine trafficking in the greater Charlotte area. Court records show that between December 2024 and January 2025, Rojas sold cocaine to an undercover law enforcement officer on at least three occasions. Following the controlled purchases, on February 28, 2025, HSI agents and CMPD officers executed a search warrant at Rojas's residence in Charlotte. During the search, investigators located a total of 34 bricks of cocaine weighing approximately 33 kilograms, including: 26 individual bricks of cocaine located in the attic and eight additional bricks located in the closet of the primary bedroom.

Investigators also located several additional items during the search including two firearms, an SCCY CPX-1 9mm handgun located in the primary bedroom nightstand, and a Bryco Arms .380 handgun located in a bag with a brick of cocaine. Investigators also located approximately $64,489 in U.S. currency, as well as digital scales and a drug ledger.

According to court records, Rojas has previously been deported from the United States on at least four occasions, frequently following criminal convictions. He was first deported on October 1, 2010, after an Assault on Family Member conviction in Virginia. Rojas was later deported from Texas in 2013 following an illegal entry conviction. In the ensuing years, Rojas was deported after felony illegal reentry convictions in Utah (2015) and Virginia (2019), before reentering the country again and trafficking cocaine.

Rojas is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson commended HSI, CMPD, and the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.